As part of my creative license, I decided on a last minute album name change.

I was driving out to the suburbs, listening to the near-final version of the song Divided Heart, when it struck me suddenly that I’d named the album incorrectly. It felt as though I’d given my child the wrong name. I had to fix it.

The next day, I made a few calls, and breathed a sigh of relief that it wasn’t too late to change.

I chose the name Divided Heart because it more adequately sums up the origins of this album, the songs contained within, and me as a person… always seeking, always questioning, always battling my demons.

Today, I sent off the songs and the artwork to a little place in Melbourne called Implant Media. A place filled with lovely people (I really have been lucky to meet many really lovely people during this process… maybe it’s a sign…) who are going to make a heap of CDs that you’ll be able to buy from the Shop as soon as I can figure out how to use HTML…

So it’ll be two months tomorrow since I entered the studio, and my long-held dream of making my little studio album began! We’re now in the very final stages of production, and all the hard work is paying off. I’ve had a ridiculously good team of people to work with in Toby Chew Lee, Cam Nacson, Jamie Muscat, Hanna Oblikov and Matt Binskin, and the finished product will be a result of dedication and love from all! It’s been bumpy, it’s been fun, it’s called What You Lost… and we’re on track to have you singing along to the songs by xmas! 😉

It’s been almost a year since my last “Album” post!  Lots has happened personally in that time, and my producer/friend decided on a career change, which threw me into a brief state of mild panic. However, being the awesome dude he is, he happens to know other awesome dudes who are equally inspired, creative, fun and stupidly talented.

So I now find myself in our fourth week of recording at Bare Branch Studios in Sydney with Toby and Cam. I’ve waited a long time, and now that it’s here, it doesn’t quite seem real, but it does seem right!  There’s still a bit of work to be done, and I don’t want to put a time frame on it, but if I were to, I’d say we’ll have the finished product as a xmas present, or maybe an album to bring in the New Year!

Stay tuned! 🙂

So, there’s a heap of artists on the north shore, in a little strip on Atchison Street in St Leonards.  They hire out artist studios and create all these things of beauty through the day.  They’re all joining forces on Thursday, 27 November for a block party, and I’ll be playing at the entrance to the Cre8tiv Studios at 29 Atchison Street.  There’ll be music, food, and much merriment.  Tickets are free, and are available from www.twtstleonards.com.au.

Related show

• Artist: Mandy Wragg
• Date: 27/11/14
• Time: 5:30pm
• Venue: Creative Precinct Block Party
• City: St Leonards
• Address: 29 Atchison Street, St Leonards, NSW
• Country: Australia
• Admission: FREE
• Age restrictions: All Ages
• Notes: 5.30pm – 8.30pm RSVP at: www.twtstleonards.com.au

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It’s been a long time coming, but finally talk has started, a very cool, fun, talented producer has been found, and recording of my first studio album is due to commence in early 2015.

As you can imagine, I’m pretty excited about the whole deal.  For a long time, my songs were very private and precious to me (they still are) to the point that I wouldn’t let anyone touch them… somewhat in manner of lioness with cub.  But there comes a time when things seem to start to fall into place – encounters occur at unexpected times, opportunities arise, and quite suddenly, as is my nature, it all felt right, and I finally felt ready to bring my songs to life.

I have no deadlines and am in no great rush, as I’m looking forward to the process itself, as much as the end product (I say that now… I’ll see how well my patience lasts once I get into the studio), but I expect the end result will come in March/April of next year.

What You Lost will give you a sense of what to expect, as it’s my first recording with Producer Extraordinaire, Jamie Muscat.  Fun times ahead! 🙂

Thanks to the awesome crew at Buckley’s for hosting my little visit yesterday! It felt good to be playing again after a 1+ year hiatus, and I’ll post details of another gig there once dates are confirmed (spot Dear Mumsie in the reflection). 🙂

Ahhh… my beloved Bar Petite.

Another Friday night, another group of beautiful people at Bar Petite. If you haven’t discovered this seductive little bar in Newcastle, may I suggest you check it out. It’s neatly tucked away under the Novotel at 5 King Street (Newcastle East), and it has a consistently friendly vibe, as well as live music across every weekend.

My Papa was kind enough to drive up from Sydney to come and see me play, take photos, play roadie, and hang for the weekend (I think he might be on his way to Numero Uno Fan!).

Here are a couple of shots – you can see more under the “Gallery” tab.

Awesome gig on Friday night at UnWined Bar in Lane Cove! Thanks for those of you who came along to support, and to the many people who gave lovely feedback!

If you haven’t been to the bar yet, it’s well worth supporting – great vibe, friendly staff, and regular live music. Check it out at www.unwinedbar.com.au.

Here’s a little pic taken by my Papa.

My most recent three gigs have been a lot of fun!

Bar Petite saw me very nearly flashing my knickers to a table of onlookers as I left and the sudden gust of wind caught my dress, causing it to billow like a boat sail, and arousing childish chuckles from us all. Carrying a guitar, an amp, and managing to hold one’s dress down whilst maintaining grace and composure is not a skill I possess.

Fox Bar was a rather quiet affair (I do hope you’ll all make a little more effort next time). I was in the lovely courtyard, with my back to the kitchen, so I was able to glance over my shoulder and salivate on the window every now and then between songs. I had a little cheer squad of 3 lovely ladies right near me who were gearing up for a big night on Maitland town. Somehow, they managed to sing along to my songs, though they’d never heard them before. The champagne seemed to assist with this miraculous ability. I was quite flattered to also receive a number of soggy, wine-soaked drink coasters with an email address and the words “email me” in drunken scrawl. She was lovely and all, but I’m straight as an arrow. 🙂 Thanks for making for a fun night, girls!

Finally, a Wednesday night at Lizotte’s in Newcastle. Such a great venue, amazing food, and a chance to meet some fellow Novocastrian musicians, including the incredible talent of soul/blues man James Chatburn and beautiful bluesy Little Smoky. I felt privileged to play at such an iconic venue!

Here are some photos from Lizotte’s, courtesy of Steve Thomas. Thanks, Steve!

If you’re wondering where I’ve been this last little while, I should firstly apologise for not letting you know sooner.

About four weeks ago, I made a spontaneous decision to go travelling in Europe for seven weeks. I had barely been out of Australia before, I needed some excitement and something to challenge me, and circumstances were such that it felt like “now or never”. Ten days later, with the encouragement of my big brothers, and the rest of my family and friends, I was on the plane.

I had no plan, I’d previously never really put thought into travelling, so I didn’t know what I wanted from it, or what I expected.

So far, I’ve been to London, Amsterdam, Luxembourg, Paris, Bordeaux, Biarritz, and I’m currently in Valencia. What I’ve learnt about myself is that travelling is about the people and the culture. I saw some monuments, but usually found myself wondering about the point of it all. It was the interractions with locals, having them tell me about their lives, and show me around, that is making my trip meaningful and worthwhile.

One of the incredible highlights, a perfect example of the above, and the closest I’ve come to a gig in my time away, was walking into a music shop in Bordeaux and kinda pleading with the guy who worked there to let me play and sing for a bit because I was missing my guitar back home in Australia. He was generous enough to let me play for a few minutes. I ended up staying for two hours. It’s these kind of moments that make life so special, that inspire songs, and that, above all, remind me of how beautiful and kind people can be.

If you’re reading this, and you want me to play in Spain, Italy or the UK, if you know someone who does, or if you can suggest somewhere for me to see some amazing new music, please write to me!

Meanwhile, I’ll be exploring a part of this world and its people, and looking forward to getting my hands on the next guitar I see 🙂